November skies

October 27, 2026

Key points from this story:

• Moon near Beehive Cluster
• Mars and Jupiter close on the 2nd
• Venus shines brightly in twilight
• Uranus at opposition on the 25th
• South Taurid meteors peak on the 5th
• Daylight Saving Time ends on the 1st

The Moon, at last quarter, is among the stars of the Beehive Cluster (M44). On the 2nd, Mars is 1.1 degrees north of the Moon, while Jupiter is 0.5 degrees north. This will be an amazing time to see the trio so close together. Both planets are occulted in distant parts of the globe. On the 3rd, Regulus is 0.8 degrees north. The 7th sees Venus 1.1 degrees away, another occultation, but in the extreme south. New Moon is on the 9th, while the following day sees Antares in close conjunction. Not much to see there, as the Moon in new phase is totally black and can't be seen. The Moon is at apogee on the 13th, at 405,619 km distance. The next phase after new is 1st quarter, which happens on the 17th - watch for the Moon in the daytime sky. By the 24th, the full Moon is among the stars of the Pleiades. Large tides occur in coastal areas. Perigee of 359,347 km occurs on the 25th, and we're back to seeing Luna in the Beehive again on the 28th. The 30th is a busy day, with first Jupiter at 1.2 degrees north, then Regulus 1.1 degrees north, and Mars 3 degrees north of the last-quarter Moon.

Mercury is in front of the Sun as the month begins, slowly appearing in the eastern dawn sky after the first week. This is a good opportunity to see the speedy planet if you've never viewed it before. Venus is nearby, with Mars and Jupiter high in the south. Mercury climbs the ecliptic, getting ever closer to Venus.

Venus, the "Morning Star," shines brilliantly in the southeast at morning twilight. On the 8th, Spica, the bright star in Virgo, the Maiden, is to the east, right beside the planet.

Mars rises in the late evening, near midnight, alongside Jupiter. Orion is well up by then, as is the brightest star, Sirius. On the 30th, a quartet of objects gathers, with Mars, Jupiter, Regulus, and the last-quarter Moon in a tight group. Have your camera ready!

Jupiter is well placed all night for viewing. If you have binoculars or a telescope, this is a good time to follow the Galilean moons as they orbit around the giant planet. Their positions change every night, so it's fun to track their movements, much like Galileo did in 1610. Our Moon occults Jupiter twice in November, on the 2nd and the 30th.

Saturn has already risen before sunset, so is well placed for viewing all night. The Ringed Planet has been retrograding and gradually slowing before becoming stationary in December.

Uranus is at opposition on the 25th, making for a good viewing opportunity all night.

Neptune is well placed all night. Get a telescope and have a look. You might even see its bright moon, Triton.

Daylight Saving Time ends on Sunday, the 1st; the south Taurid meteors peak on the 5th; the north Taurid meteor shower peaks on the 12th.